Chapter 517: Want to Leave? Too Late

Lu Sangjiu chuckled at Luo Linlang’s last remark, trying her best to keep her tone from getting too heavy. “Yeah, I’ll remember. I’ll definitely come back alive to pay you back.”

By flying at full speed and using Teleportation Arrays, Lu Sangjiu finally arrived at the Qiyue Sect’s Ascension Platform just a short while after receiving Lie Rufeng’s message.

“…Xie Ningyuan!”

Her eyes immediately fell upon the devastation left by the battle ahead. And there was Xie Ningyuan, whom she hadn’t seen in so long, looking battered and disheveled, with fresh bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and on his robes.

Despite his battered appearance, his face showed no fear. A Magic Treasure hovered before him, deflecting the attacks of the man he faced.

But the Magic Treasure was already covered in cracks and clearly on the verge of shattering.

Seeing this, Lu Sangjiu’s heart clenched. After crying out his name subconsciously, she immediately drew her blade and faced the Cultivator opposite him.

That Daluo Golden Immortal frowned slightly. “Heavenly Immortal Stage?”

He wasn’t frightened by Lu Sangjiu’s cultivation; he was merely annoyed.

He had only come to deal with a newly ascended Cultivator, but the man had far too many tricks up his sleeve, and he’d been unable to take him down.

Still, he had successfully stalled his target, keeping him too occupied to do anything else. With Ji Li about to arrive any moment, his own mission would soon be complete.

But he hadn’t expected another helper to show up for the opponent before Ji Li arrived.

Seeing Lu Sangjiu’s slash coming at him, he casually waved his left hand, forming a protective barrier to block it.

But he never would have dreamed that her seemingly ordinary slash would be so powerful!

“…What?!”

The moment the barrier shattered, he knew something was wrong. He could no longer be bothered with Xie Ningyuan and hastily channeled all his strength to defend himself!

And yet, despite his efforts, the next moment that simple, unadorned slash sent him flying sideways through the air!

In an instant, he crashed to the ground, spitting out a large mouthful of blood. A gash so deep the bone was visible had been carved into his chest!

That single strike had nearly sliced him in two!

He was a Body Cultivator, after all! His physical defense was so formidable that even a fellow Daluo Golden Immortal, let alone a mere Heavenly Immortal, would struggle to inflict such a deep wound even if he stood still and took the hit without defending himself!

For a moment, the Cultivator stared at Lu Sangjiu, his eyes filled with horror. “You… Just who are you?”

‘I didn’t expect my own strike to be so incredibly powerful.’

‘He’s a Late Stage Daluo Golden Immortal, after all. Why was cutting him down as easy as slicing vegetables?’

She couldn’t help but glance at her domination map, unsure if its power was simply too great, or if she herself had become truly formidable.

But these thoughts lasted only an instant. Her concern for Xie Ningyuan was paramount. She didn’t even bother to rush over and finish off her opponent, instead going straight to Xie Ningyuan’s side and supporting his nearly exhausted body.

“Are you okay?”

Lu Sangjiu’s eyes were filled with worry. She immediately took out an Elixir Pill and fed it to him, her urgency plain to see.

Xie Ningyuan didn’t speak. He just looked at her, an unconscious smile gracing his face.

“Finally… I can see you again.”

“Little Jiu, I’ve missed you so much.”

As he spoke, he seemed utterly exhausted, resting his head on her shoulder and leaning his entire body against hers.

Lu Sangjiu had rarely seen this vulnerable side of him. Her heart ached, and she couldn’t help but raise a hand to gently stroke his head twice, her voice a soft, soothing whisper.

“I’ve missed you too.”

“From now on, we can always be together. We have a long time ahead of us.”

Xie Ningyuan smiled faintly, but a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. “I was hoping you’d come, but at the same time, I was hoping you wouldn’t.”

“Just seeing you one more time is enough for me… I’ve expended too much energy. Even if I summon the Heavenly Thunder now, I might not succeed.”

“Of course, I have to try whether I succeed or not. But it’s too dangerous for you to stay. You should go.”

‘Ji Li and the others should be here any second. I have to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation right now.’

‘If I succeed, I’ll become an Immortal King after my tribulation, and I’ll have the power to fight Ji Li.’

‘If I fail, I’ll die in the Heavenly Tribulation.’

‘There’s no point in having Lu Sangjiu stay here now.’

‘She understood the logic, but looking at Xie Ningyuan in this state, how could she bear to leave him alone?’

‘Besides, in his current condition, it really would be difficult for him to survive the Heavenly Tribulation! How could she possibly leave?’

But before Lu Sangjiu could answer, Ji Li’s voice rang out.

“Heh, if you’re thinking of leaving now, I’m afraid it’s too late.”

Lu Sangjiu’s pupils contracted as she felt a palm strike descending upon them!

She had no time for anything else. She shoved the only two Immortal Stones she had left into Xie Ningyuan’s hands. “Hurry!”

Then she stepped in front of Xie Ningyuan and swung her blade at the incoming palm strike!

The power of her slash was once again astonishing, directly shattering the force of Ji Li’s palm strike!

Ji Li’s face was a mask of astonishment. “This… How is this possible?”

‘Even though I didn’t use my full strength in that last strike, it was still the power of an Immortal King!’

‘Lu Sangjiu is clearly just at the Heavenly Immortal Stage. How did she do that?’

After his surprise, Ji Li’s gaze filled with even more killing intent.

‘This Lu Sangjiu… I truly cannot let her live!’

Lu Sangjiu was also somewhat astonished that she could actually contend with Ji Li. But this was clearly a good thing, and she was too relieved to waste time wondering why.

Seizing the moment while Ji Li was stunned, she gripped her domination map and launched a counterattack!

The two clashed five or six times in an instant. They both quickly discovered that while Lu Sangjiu was strong, her true power was still a notch below Ji Li’s. In a direct confrontation, she was no match for him.

Ji Li had initially felt a little anxious, but after realizing this, his composure returned.

However, he soon discovered that while Lu Sangjiu was holding him back, Xie Ningyuan had already summoned his Heavenly Tribulation. Ominous clouds were gathering in the sky.

He frowned slightly, but Ji Li didn’t lose his composure.

Although he knew that Xie Ningyuan would also possess the power of an Immortal King after completing his Heavenly Tribulation, he wouldn’t have come today without considering this worst-case scenario.

‘So… he had a backup plan.’

Ji Li felt increasingly calm, and his attacks became more composed.

In contrast, Lu Sangjiu seemed flustered, and in a short time, her body was covered in wounds of varying sizes.

Just then, the first strike of Xie Ningyuan’s Heavenly Tribulation finally descended!

Once this first strike had fallen, no one could interrupt Xie Ningyuan before he successfully completed his Tribulation Crossing.

Lu Sangjiu’s heart finally settled in her chest. She no longer tried to prolong the fight. Seizing a moment when Ji Li was distracted, she suddenly turned and fled!

Her move truly caught Ji Li by surprise. After all, in his mind, Lu Sangjiu had always seemed like someone who would never back down.

‘Running away when you can’t win? I’ve never seen her do that before.’

But his stupor lasted only a moment. How could Ji Li possibly let her escape just like that?

He immediately flew after her, cutting off her escape route!